อ่อนโยน
ɔ̀ɔn-yoon/ʔɔːn˨˩.joːn˧/
In Thai, the English phrase "gentle" is expressed as อ่อนโยน (ɔ̀ɔn-yoon). Wiktionary also lists นุ่มนวล (nûm-nuuan).
Meaning: soft and mild rather than hard or severe (adj)
Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| อ่อนโยน | ɔ̀ɔn-yoon | /ʔɔːn˨˩.joːn˧/ |
| นุ่มนวล | nûm-nuuan | /num˥˩.nua̯n˧/ |
The term อ่อนโยน is the most common way to describe a person's personality, such as being gentle, kind or mild-mannered.
Which one should you use?
While both mean gentle, นุ่มนวล is often used to describe physical textures or movements that are smooth and soft, whereas อ่อนโยน focuses more on a person's gentle temperament or character.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
นุ่มนวล is a polite form. อ่อนโยน refers to someone who is gentle, tender and considerate.
How do you pronounce it?
The word อ่อนโยน is pronounced as ɔ̀ɔn-yoon.
Did you know?
- The word นวล in นุ่มนวล does not just mean soft, it also refers to a 'glowingly radiant' quality, often used to describe the smooth glow of skin or moonlight.
- The syllable โยน in อ่อนโยน is actually a linguistic evolution of the word โอน, which means 'to bend' or 'to lean'.
- The term อ่อน used in both words literally means 'soft' or 'weak', which is the same root used to describe 'young' or 'immature' in other contexts.
Examples in context
- เธอเป็นคนอ่อนโยนมากShe is a very gentle person.
- เขาเป็นคนอ่อนโยนมากkhao pen khon on-yon makHe is a very gentle person.
- คุณควรใช้น้ำเสียงที่อ่อนโยนkhun khuan chai nam-siang thi on-yonYou should use a gentle tone of voice.
- แม่ดูแลเขาอย่างอ่อนโยนmae du-lae khao yang on-yonThe mother took care of him gently.
Example conversation
Chonlasit is praising Kanokwan's way of teaching children.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitคุณสอนเด็กๆ ได้อ่อนโยนมากเลยkhun son dek dek dai on-yon mak loeiYou teach the children very gently.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanขอบคุณค่ะ ฉันอยากให้พวกเขารู้สึกปลอดภัยkhop khun kha chan yak hai phuak khao ru-suek plod phaiThank you. I want them to feel safe.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitเด็กๆ คงจะชอบคุณมากdek dek khong cha chop khun makThe children probably like you a lot.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanฉันก็ชอบพวกเขาเหมือนกันค่ะchan ko chop phuak khao muean kan khaI like them too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gentle” translations and entries อ่อนโยน, นุ่มนวล, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries นุ่มนวล, อ่อนโยน, CC BY-SA 4.0.
